An exercise apparatus utilizes a weight-laden frame which is grasped by the hands of a user during an exercise routine for lifting the frame from the floor during a lift phase of the exercise routine and for subsequently returning the frame to the floor during a lowering phase of the routine. To enhance the strength gains of the user, the user walks while holding the apparatus in spaced relationship with the floor following the lift phase of the routine. The frame of the apparatus is sized so that walking movements of the user are unobstructed by the frame and so that if the apparatus is dropped while the user walks while holding the apparatus, no part of the apparatus strikes the legs or feet of the user.